WDM systems and methods

ABSTRACT

A WDM optical system including a media converter module including a plurality of converter cards, each converter card being configured to convert a native signal into an optical signal. The system also includes a panel bracket having an opening and a plurality of fingers, and a cable management panel including a drawer having an interior space. The cable management panel includes a splitter/combiner module mounted in the interior space, and the cable management panel is positioned in the opening of the panel bracket so that a space is defined between the cable management panel and the media converter module.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to wavelength division multiplexed opticalnetworks.

BACKGROUND

Wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical networks are known wherelight of multiple wavelengths is dispersed such that each wavelength oflight is spatially separated from every other wavelength of light. Aplurality of signals having wavelengths of different lengths can becombined for transmission over a single fiber optic cable. For opticaltransmission systems such as in a backbone network with a great demandfor communication, a further increase in capacity has been found byreducing the optical wavelength spacing of a plurality of signalchannels to increase the degree of multiplexing. WDM processing with ahigher degree of multiplexing is called dense wavelength divisionmultiplexing (DWDM).

Also, it is known in optical transmission systems in which there is lessdemand for communication that the degree of multiplexing can bedecreased by increasing the optical wavelength spacing of a plurality ofsignal channels. This has the effect of reducing costs for the systemcomponents. WDM processing with a lower degree of multiplexing is calledcoarse wavelength division multiplexing (CWDM). In a CWDM system,inexpensive optical components can be used.

In WDM systems, and in particular CWDM systems, a variety of differentmedia signals communicated on cables including coaxial, twisted pair(shielded and unshielded), and optical, may be converted to, forexample, a standard optical format. WDMs including CWDMs are utilized toprocess these signals for transmission over fiber networks. In the caseof multimode signals on fiber optic cables, WDMs can be used to processthe signals for transmission on a multiplexed single cable systemincluding a single mode fiber.

Because WDM systems involve multiplexing of multiple signals on multiplecables, there is a need for cable management. In addition, there is aneed to provide modularity to allow for ease in upgrading to additionalcapacity when desired. Further, it is desirable to provide thermalmanagement to dissipate heat generated by the WDM systems.

SUMMARY

The present invention concerns wavelength division multiplexed opticalnetworks.

According to one aspect, the invention relates to a WDM optical systemincluding a media converter module including a plurality of convertercards, each converter card being configured to convert a native signalinto an optical signal, and a panel bracket defining an opening and aplurality of fingers. The system also includes a cable management panelincluding a drawer defining an interior space, wherein the cablemanagement panel includes a splitter/combiner module mounted in theinterior space, and wherein the cable management panel is positioned inthe opening of the panel bracket so that a space is defined between thecable management panel and the media converter module.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a WDM opticalsystem including a media converter module including a plurality ofconverter cards, each converter card being configured to convert anative signal into an optical signal, and a panel bracket defining anopening and a plurality of fingers. The system also includes a cablemanagement panel including a drawer defining an interior space, whereinthe cable management panel includes a splitter/combiner module mountedin the interior space, wherein the cable management panel is positionedin the opening of the panel bracket so that a space is defined betweenthe cable management panel and the media converter module, and whereinthe drawer includes at least one take-up mechanism. The cables couplingthe media converter module to the splitter/combiner module extendvertically downward through the fingers, horizontally across a topsurface of the cable management panel, and into the drawer through thetake-up mechanisms.

According to yet another aspect, the invention relates to a systemincluding a rack and first and second WDM systems coupled to the rack.Each WDM system includes a media converter module including a pluralityof converter cards, each converter card being configured to convert anative signal into an optical signal, a panel bracket defining anopening and a plurality of fingers, a cable management panel including adrawer defining an interior space, wherein the cable management panelincludes a splitter/combiner module mounted in the interior space, andwherein the cable management panel is positioned in the opening of thepanel bracket so that a space is defined between the cable managementpanel and the media converter module. The cable management panel of thefirst WDM system is spaced apart from the media converter module of thesecond WDM system.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a WDM opticalsystem including a media converter module including a plurality ofconverter cards, each converter card being configured to convert anative signal into an optical signal, a panel bracket defining aplurality of fingers, and a cable management panel including a drawerdefining an interior space, wherein the cable management panel includesa splitter/combiner module mounted in the interior space, and whereinthe cable management panel is positioned so that a space is definedbetween the cable management panel and the media converter module.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a bracketincluding a main body defining an opening, and first and second endsconfigured to be coupled to a rack, and a plurality of cable managementfingers positioned above the opening in the main body.

According to yet another aspect, the invention relates to a cablemanagement system including a bracket including a main body defining anopening, and first and second ends configured to be coupled with a rack,and a plurality of cable management fingers positioned about the openingin the main body, and a cable management panel including a drawer, thepanel being positioned to extend through the opening of the bracket.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a media convertermodule including a main chassis defining a plurality of slots and afront surface, a plurality of converter cards configured to slid intoand out of the slots such that ports on the converter cards generallyalign with the front surface of the chassis, the converter cards beingconfigured to convert native signals into optical signals, and abackplane configured to be coupled to each of the converter cards. Themedia converter module also includes a power supply to supply power toeach of the converter cards through the backplane, and at least twobrackets coupled to the chassis, wherein the brackets offset the mediaconverter module such that the brackets extend beyond the front surfaceof the chassis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a WDM opticalsystem.

FIG. 1A is a front view of the WDM optical system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of a portion of the WDM optical system ofFIG. 1A with cables removed for purposes of clarity.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the WDM optical system of FIG. 1 with acover of the media converter chassis removed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the WDM optical system of FIG. 1 with adrawer of the cable management panel in an open position.

FIG. 3A is an enlarged view of a portion of the WDM optical system ofFIG. 3 with the example splitter/combiner module in a raised positionand with cables removed for purposes of clarity.

FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of a portion of the WDM optical system ofFIG. 3 with cables removed for purposes of clarity.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the WDM optical system of FIG. 3 withthe cover of the media converter chassis removed.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the WDM optical system of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the WDM optical system of FIG. 5 with the coverof the media converter chassis removed.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a cablemanagement bracket.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the bracket of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the bracket of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the bracket of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a WDM systemincluding a plurality of WDM optical systems mounted to a rack.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the system of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a front view of the system of FIG. 11 with the rack removedfor purposes of clarity.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the system of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, an example WDM optical system 100 is shown.System 100 generally includes a media converter 110, a cable managementpanel 130, and a panel bracket 150 that is coupled to the panel 130.System 100 multiplexes a plurality of channels of native optical orcopper media on an optical link. The optical link, in turn, can beconnected to a remote WDM system that de-multiplexes the optical linkand converts the signals back into a plurality of channels of nativemedia.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 4, and 6, media converter 110 is shown with acover 112 removed. Media converter 110 includes a main chassis 111 thatcan be coupled to a rack using brackets 114. See FIGS. 11 and 12.

Chassis 111 of media converter 110 includes slots for a plurality ofconverter cards, such as cards 116 and 117. Each card 116 and 117includes one or more native ports 166, an optical-in port 168, and anoptical-out port 169. See FIGS. 1A and 1B. Native ports 166 can accept avariety of different connector styles used for electric and optic cablessuch as, for example, RJ-type connectors, coaxial-type connectors, andoptical connectors.

Cards 116 and 117 are slid into slots formed in chassis 111 of mediaconverter 110. Each card 116 and 117 includes an edge contact 211 thatis plugged into card edge connector 212 provided on a backplane 213 asthe card is inserted into chassis 111. Power from one or more powersupplies 214 is provided to each card 116 and 117 through backplane 213.Although the example chassis 111 provides slots for as many as fourteenconverter cards and one CPU card, only two cards 116 and 117 areillustrated. Blanks 119 of varying sizes are used to cover the openingsfor the unused slots on chassis 111.

Cards 116 and 117 convert native signals provided at native ports 166into optical signals provided at optical-out ports 169. For example,card 116 includes native port 166 configured as an RJ-type port, andcard 117 includes native ports 166 configured as multi-mode optic-typeports. Native port 166 of card 116 receives a plug on the end of atwisted pair cable. Native ports 166 of card 117 receive fiber opticconnectors on the end of fiber optic cables.

Each card 116 and 117 preferably converts the native signal into anoptical signal at a given wavelength different from that of each othercard in chassis 111. For example, card 116 converts a native signal intoan optical signal at a wavelength of 1270 nanometers, while card 117converts a native signal into an optical signal at a wavelength of 1290nanometers. This allows multiple optical signals of differentwavelengths to be multiplexed onto a single optical link, as describedfurther below. In the example shown, up to fourteen cards can be used atdifferent wavelengths ranging from 1270 nanometers to 1610 nanometersspaced at increments of 20 nanometers. Other wavelengths and spacing canalso be used.

In addition, cards 116 and 117 convert optical signals provided atoptical-in ports 168 into native signals that are provided at nativeports 166.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-6, cable management panel 130 is illustrated ingreater detail. Panel 130 includes a frame 131 defining a top surface335, and a drawer 132. Drawer 132 can move from a closed position (FIGS.1 and 2) to an open position (FIGS. 3-6). The inside portion of drawer132 can accept various trays, including illustrated tray 334.

Drawer 132 provides cable management for the cables 160. For example,drawer 132 includes movable take-up mechanisms 336 positioned at eitherside of drawer 132 that manage cables 160 entering and exiting drawer132. Specifically, the take-up mechanisms 336 slide relative to thedrawer 132 to manage slack in the cables 160 as the drawer 132 is openedand closed. Further, tray 334 in drawer 132 includes a plurality ofradius limiters 338 that manage cable flexing, excess cable, and therouting of cables 160 in the drawer 132. Additional details regardingpanel 130 can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,504,988 to Trebesch et al.;U.S. Pat. No. 6,748,155 to Kim et al.; and U.S. Patent Application Publ.No. 2003/0007767 to Douglas et al., all of which are hereby incorporatedby reference in their entireties.

Drawer 132 also includes a splitter/combiner module 370 mounted therein.Module 370 is mounted to tray 334 by two sliding adapter arrangements339. A second set of sliding adapter arrangements 339 is provided toaccommodate another splitter/combiner module in alternate embodiments.The sliding adapter arrangements 339 allow the module 370 to be raised(see FIG. 3A) and lowered (FIG. 3) to allow for ease in accessing theports located at a front surface of module 370, as well as removal andplacement of module 370 in drawer 132. Additional details regarding thesliding adapter arrangements 339 can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,504,988to Trebesch et al.

As shown in FIG. 3B, module 370 includes two sets of optical-in ports372 and optical-out ports 374. Module 370 also includes link-input port376 and link-output port 378. Module 370 generally functions to combine(multiplex) multiple optical signals onto one or more optical links. Forexample, module 370 can multiplex optical signals for multiple cards ofthe media converter 110 (e.g., cards 116 and 117) onto a single opticallink. Module 370 also functions to split (de-multiplex) optical signalsfrom one or more optical links into multiple optical signals.

In one embodiment, module 370 includes an 8 channel CWDM having partnumber C-80-A-B-0-S-8-1-B-55 manufactured by Cube Optics AG of Germany.In addition, although only one module 370 is shown in the illustratedembodiment, additional modules 370 can be added to drawer 132. Forexample, the example media converter 110 is configured to convert up tofourteen native signals into optical signals that can be multiplexed.Therefore, two or more splitter/combiner modules each multiplexing twoor more signals can be placed in drawer 132.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-10, panel bracket 150 is shown in isolation.Bracket 150 includes a main body 151 and an opening 153. In theillustrated embodiment, opening 153 is sized to receive panel 130.Brackets 154 extending from main body 151 are used to couple bracket 150to panel 130 (see FIG. 14). In addition, end portions 155 can be used tomount bracket 150 to a rack (see FIG. 11).

A plurality of cable management fingers 152 extends from a front surfaceof bracket 150. In the illustrated embodiment, each finger 152 includesa first portion 181 extending from the surface of bracket 150, a secondportion 182 extending generally perpendicularly from the first portion181, and a third portion 183 extending back towards the surface ofbracket 150. See FIGS. 7, 9, and 10. Portions 181, 182, and 183generally form a “C” shape that functions to capture and maintain cablesrunning therethrough. The shape and angle of fingers 152 also functionto protect the cables from sharp bends as the cables extend verticallydownward from media converter 110 and horizontally along surface 335 ofpanel 130.

In the illustrated embodiment, fingers 152 form two banks 158 and 159that allow dressing of cables in two directions. Specifically, fingers152 of bank 158 are directed at approximately a 45-degree angle downwardfrom horizontal and toward bank 159, and fingers 152 of bank 159 aredirected at approximately a 45-degree angle downward from horizontal andtoward bank 158. This configuration allows cables 160 extendingvertically downward from the media converter 110 on the right side to bedressed through bank 158 and extend towards the right edge of panel 130,while allowing cables 160 extending downward on the left side to bedressed through bank 159 and extend towards the left edge of panel 130.Allowing the cables to be dressed in both the right and left directionsreduces the amount and length of cable extending in each direction. Inalternative embodiments, all of the cables can be dressed in onedirection.

In one example, bracket 150 has a height Y of approximately two rackunits (RUs), while the opening 153 has a height X of approximately oneRU to accept panel 130. In the illustrated embodiment, the opening 153is positioned at approximately a mid-portion of the main body 151 ofbracket 150.

Card 116 of media converter module 110 is coupled to splitter/combinermodule 370 as follows. A native signal is provided at native port 166 ofcard 116. Optical-in port 168 and optical-out port 169 of card 116 arecoupled to optical-out port 374 and optical-in port 372 ofsplitter/combiner module 370 using two cables 160. In the illustratedembodiment, cables 160 extend from card 116 through fingers 152 onbracket 150. The cables 160 then run along top surface 335 of panel 130toward an edge of panel 130, and the cables enter panel 130 through thetake-up mechanism 336 at the respective edge of panel 130. Card 117 iscoupled to module 370 in a similar manner.

Splitter/combiner module 370 is coupled to a remote system by one ormore optical links (not shown). Specifically, link-input port 376 andlink-output port 378 of module 370 are coupled to optical links whichrun to/from a remote location.

In use, system 100 can be used to convert signals from native formatinto optical format, and to multiplex multiple optical signals onto asingle or multiple optical links that are linked with a remote location.For example, a native signal provided at native port 166 of card 116 isconverted into an optical signal. The optical signal is communicatedfrom optical-out port 169 of card 116 to optical-in port 372 of module370 by cable 160. The signal is then multiplexed by module 370 andcommunicated to a remote system by an optical link coupled tolink-output port 378 of module 370.

In a similar manner, signals can be communicated by an optical link froma remote system to system 100 as follows. First, the signal iscommunicated to link-input port 376 of module 370. The signal is thende-multiplexed by module 370, and the signal is communicated fromoptical-out port 374 of module 370 to optical-in port 168 of card 116.The signal is then converted by card 116 to native format and deliveredto the native system through native port 166.

In the illustrated embodiment, cables 160 include SC-type connectors,although other types of connectors such as LC-type connectors can alsobe used.

Referring now to FIGS. 12-14, an example embodiment of a system 400 isshown including a rack 410 and three WDM optical systems 100 a, 100 b,and 100 c. Each system 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c is configured in a mannersimilar to that of system 100 described above.

In the example shown, media converter 110 is spaced a distance R fromthe cable management panel 130 of each respective system 100 a, 100 b,and 100 c. In addition, cable management panel 130 of each system 100 a,100 b, and 100 c is spaced a distance S from the media converter 130 ofthe next adjacent system. Distances R and S are set by bracket 150 thatpositions panel 130 of approximately one RU in approximately the middleof a two RU space. In example embodiments, offset R is approximately0.65 inches, and offset S is approximately 1.10 inches. Larger orsmaller offsets can be used. Offsets R and S can be desirable to allowvertical airflow into chassis 111 of media converters 110 to dissipateheat generated within media converters 110.

Brackets 114 used to couple media converts 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c torack 410 allow the media converters 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c to be offsetrearward a distance T from a front surface of the rack 410. See FIG. 14.In one embodiment, the offset T is approximately two inches.

It can be desirable to offset the media converters 100 a, 100 b, and 100c in this manner so that the connectors of cables 160 do not extendbeyond the front surface of rack 410, where the connectors could beeasily dislodged. See FIG. 14. In addition, the offset allows the cablesextending from the connectors to be dressed vertically downward throughfingers 152 of panel bracket 150 and right or left along top surface 335of panel 130 into drawer 132.

The above specification, examples and data provide a completedescription of the manufacture and use of the composition of theinvention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, the inventionresides in the claims hereinafter appended.

1. A WDM optical system comprising: a media converter module including aplurality of converter cards, each converter card being configured toconvert a native signal into an optical signal; a panel bracket definingan opening and a plurality of fingers; a cable management panelincluding a drawer defining an interior space, wherein the cablemanagement panel includes a splitter/combiner module mounted in theinterior space, and wherein the cable management panel is positioned inthe opening of the panel bracket so that a space is defined between thecable management panel and the media converter module, and wherein thedrawer includes at least one take-up mechanism; and at least one bracketconfigured to couple the media converter module to a rack in ahorizontally offset position; wherein cables coupling the mediaconverter module to the splitter/combiner module extend verticallydownward through the fingers, horizontally across a top surface of thecable management panel, and into the drawer through the take-upmechanism.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the opening is defined inapproximately a central portion of a main body of the panel bracket. 3.The system of claim 2, wherein the panel bracket has a height ofapproximately two rack units, and the opening has a height ofapproximately one rack unit.
 4. A WDM optical system comprising: a mediaconverter module including a plurality of converter cards, eachconverter card being configured to convert a native signal into anoptical signal; a panel bracket defining an opening and a plurality offingers; and a cable management panel including a drawer defining aninterior space, wherein the cable management panel includes asplitter/combiner module mounted in the interior space, wherein thecable management panel is positioned in the opening of the panel bracketso that a space is defined between the cable management panel and themedia converter module, and wherein the drawer includes at least onetake-up mechanism; wherein cables coupling the media converter module tothe splitter/combiner module extend vertically downward through thefingers, horizontally across a top surface of the cable managementpanel, and into the drawer through the take-up mechanisms.
 5. The systemof claim 4, further comprising two brackets configured to couple themedia converter module to a rack in a horizontally offset position. 6.The system of claim 4, wherein the opening is defined in approximately acentral portion of a main body of the panel bracket.
 7. The system ofclaim 6, wherein the panel bracket has a height of approximately tworack units, and the opening has a height of approximately one rack unit.8. A WDM optical system comprising: a media converter module including aplurality of converter cards, each converter card being configured toconvert a native signal into an optical signal; a panel bracket definingan opening and including cable management members; and a cablemanagement panel including a drawer defining an interior space, thecable management panel including a splitter/combiner module mounted inthe interior space, wherein the panel bracket is located below the mediaconverter; wherein the cable management panel is positioned in theopening of the panel bracket so that a vertical space is defined betweenthe cable management panel and the media converter module; and whereincables coupling the media converter module to the splitter/combinermodule extend vertically downward through the cable management membersand into the drawer.